27th Nov 2007, 12:54
Picked up a 2000 Cherokee earlier this summer. 114,000 miles at purchase. I'm at about 118,000 now. Took a 5 hour road trip this past weekend. It ran fine the whole time, until I started it again an hour or so after arrival. Some kind of strange grinding noise. Seemed to be coming from where the fan connects to the thing it connects to. Turns out that "thing" is the A/C compressor, evac, and all the rest. After a recharge, new parts and a new serpentine she runs like a champ. $1100. Darn. Took the mechanic about 2 hours to do it. Otherwise, so far so good other than the normal creaks and squeaks. Well, I hope they're normal...
29th Nov 2007, 20:01
If your dash lights go out and then come back on, take a look at this website - there is a connector buried in the dash that has problems. My 2000 Sport does the same thing - I choose to ignore it. Avoid asking the dealer to fix anything unless you are very wealthy.
6th Dec 2007, 21:21
I just stumbled across this site, and found it interesting that I’m not the only one who has had the speed specific front-end vibration. My 2001 Cherokee vibrates at 55-58 mph, and has done so since it was nearly new. I’ve had it at the dealer numerous times, and they have no clue. One time they put a new steering gear box in (under warranty), but I think that was just a shot in the dark. I’ve chased the problem thoroughly, first with tires, checking for balance and defects. But I’ve ruled them out since I’ve been through three sets, and the problem is there with all of them. I’ve also rotated the tires numerous times. If a tire was the problem, when that tire went to the rear, the problem would go away, or at least move. It does not. It is not a brake problem because the only brake problem that would cause a vibration would be a warped rotor, but I’d feel that in the brake pedal. Besides, I turned the rotors when I replaced the brake pads. That ain’t it. The steering stabilizer (dampener) fixes the problem temporarily. So I think a fresh stabilizer is strong enough to soften the vibration, but it is not addressing the cause of the vibration, it’s just compensating for it. However, for any of you who have a bad vibration after hitting a bump; that is definitely a stabilizer problem. I recently took the Jeep to a suspension/alignment specialty shop, and they checked the entire front end. Everything is tight, and the alignment is perfectly within specs.
So, after fighting this for six years, I’ve developed a theory. I’ve always noticed that the front-end does not return to center after a turn as well as it should (if you let go of the steering wheel after a turn, it should go back to straight ahead). This condition would be caused by insufficient caster settings. Insufficient caster can also cause wheel wobble, like wobbly casters (wheels) on a grocery cart at the grocery store. Unfortunately, the caster angle is set at the factory, and is non-adjustable. I suspect that Chrysler didn’t put a lot of caster in the front-end for some reason. On some vehicles, it’s just not enough. I bet Chrysler knows this, but doesn’t want to acknowledge it. The only fix I can think of would be to install off-set ball joints, and I’m not ready to go down that road yet. I’ll just keep fresh steering stabilizers on it. They’re cheap, and are only a 10-minute replacement.
10th Dec 2007, 21:43
Getting back to the front wheel squeal which started this thread. I have 2001 Cherokee sport with this problem too, no vibrations at any speed. Squeal starts around 5-10 mph range, continue through to about 25-30 and then disappears. It is definitely coming from left front wheel/axle area. Does not increase or decrease with engine rpm (shifting to neutral and and revving engine does not cause this noise or vary it in anyway.) I don't think problem in the engine compartment because squeal only occurs when car is in motion. I also confirm what others said that it occurs mostly with the onset of colder weather, had this noise last winter, it abated much over the summer, but was still there on occasion, is back with a vengeance this winter. Am about to replace front hub assembly hoping that's it, but it a shot in the dark to be truthful. Anyone out there find out what is causing this noise yet?
28th Jan 2008, 15:50
I have a lovely 2000 Grand Cherokee Laredo. I have the stinking ignition problem. Also my lovely advice giving fiance locked the wheel. Somebody help with this problem everyone in Virginia Beach is trying to rob me. We even asked a locksmith to do it on the side cause we just moved here and our check book is tight. He wouldn't even help out. Any solutions email me smgarvey@gmail.com.
15th Feb 2008, 17:05
I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport has around 165,000 miles after having it for about 5 months. I love it.
Only thing is the 4X4 jerks when I'm turning. Also when going up a mountain I have poor speed control at speeds around 55mph, but have great speed control when going up a steep hill at 30 mph.
And the engine doesn't ideal smoothly; it jumps from about 800 rpms to 1000 rpms, then back down. Any ideas? Thanks.
21st Feb 2008, 13:19
Could be your idle "brain" located under the hood by the throttle body. A lot of them go bad around 80K (like mine)
21st Feb 2008, 23:06
Add me to the list of all of those with the locked ignition problem. Of course the problem does not happen until 10:00 at night when my wife is 15 miles from home and its 7 degrees outside. I will try all the different suggestions and report back later. Thanks to all of you who took the time to post your solutions. Hopefully it will work.
Matt, Wisconsin.
22nd Feb 2008, 23:00
Jeep Cherokee 200 Sport 4x4 /4 door/ 180k Miles
I have some weird ignition problems. I would turn the key and nothing silence... when I switch from PARK to NEUTRAL... I can start the car... Any ideas?
One more.. my driver seat is broken as well... it happened on the road two days ago... is this something I can fix myself? or do I have to go to a dealer?... Does anyone know how to take out the FRONT DRIVE SEAT?
Thanks
Mike
Chicago, Il.
4th Mar 2008, 13:01
My son has a 2000 Jeep Cherokee with the same complaint: key won't turn in the ignition. I used the rubber mallet tapping technique to get the car started (took about 10 min). The Chrysler dealer was useless - all the mechanics were at lunch and I was afraid to turn off the ignition. Then I drove to the locksmith and they removed the lock, repaired it and gave me a new key. Total cost $40. Many, many thanks to you all.
Heidi
24th Sep 2007, 18:10
I have a 2000 Cherokee sport and like many others had "the wobbles" around the 50-60mph mark. I talked to some other jeep owners and it seems there is definitely a trend with cracked steering stabilizers.